Definition
Snoring = vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to the obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping.
Just about everyone snores occasionally. Even a baby or a beloved pet may snore! But snoring can affect the quantity and quality of your sleep. Poor sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability and increased health problems. And, if your snoring is so loud that your bed partner can't sleep, you may end up banished from the bedroom. Thus, discovering the cause of your snoring and finding the right cure will vastly improve your health, your relationships, and, of course, your sleep.
The Causes of Snoring
Snoring is causes by a narrowing of your airway, either from poor sleep postire or abnormalities of the soft tissues in your throat. A narrow airway gets in the way of smooth breathing and creates the sound of snoring.
Tip: The way you snore may reveal why you snore!!
If you snore
1. With your mouth closed : a problem with the tongue is probably the culprit
2. With your mouth open : your snoring is likely related to the tissues in your throat
3. Only on your back : your snoring is probably mild-improved sleep habit and lifestyle cahnges may be effective cures
4. In all sleep positions : your snoring is more severe and may required a more comprehensive treatment
Causes and Risk Factor of Snoring
Causes out of our control
1. Heredity
2. Being middle-aged or beyond – age increase, throat narrower, muscle tone in your throat decrease = snore
3. Being male – men have narrower air passage than women
4. Allergies, asthma, a cold, or sinus infections- blocked airway passage
Causes within our control
1. Being overweight or out of shape
2. A history of smoking- exposure to second hand smoker also include
3. Alcohol or medications
4. Sleeping posture
Negative Health Effect
Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, a potentially life threatening condition. While snoring is caused by narrow airways, sleep apnea is a true breathing obstruction, which requires the sleeper to awaken to begin breathing again. A person with sleep apnea wakes up many times a night to regain breathing, but usually remembers nothing at all about the awakenings. Snoring is a common sympom of sleep apnea, but snoring by itself does not involve the cessation of breathing.
p/s : Sleep apnea (sleep apnoea) = sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode called an apnea.
How to Stop Snoring : Self Help Tips and Remedies
1. Sleep on your side
2. Elevate the head of your bed
3. Limit alcohol and medication (for smoker, u can limit or stop it)
4. Clear your nasal pasaages
5. Lose weight (hee)
Here I also attached video of sleep apnea. Take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm-TZ-dO_rQ
Stay healthy by beautifuldisguise ;)
